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Abstract:

An on-line invention disclosure system includes a user computer (14) and
a web server (12) having an identification subsystem (30). A database
(18) is coupled to the server (12). The server provides user screens to
the user to prompt users to provide user information to the server. The
server receives disclosure information from the users and stores
information in the database (18) and prompts the users to provide a
password. Upon the proper password, access to the disclosure is granted.
Before granting a docket number, approval is received from each of the
inventors.

Claims:

1-23. (canceled)

24. A method of forming an online invention disclosure comprising:
forming an invention disclosure online by entering a plurality of
selected information including a first inventor identification
information; as the plurality of selected information is entered, storing
the information in a central storage location; and prompting approval of
said first inventor.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved data processing
system, and more particularly, to an on-line invention disclosure
submission system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In many companies, paper submission of forms such as invention
disclosures are routinely used. Commonly these paper disclosures are
mailed to a central location where they are logged into a system and
provided to a patent coordinator or the corporate attorney. In large
companies having several offices, these invention disclosures are mailed
to the patent department or the patent coordinator. The paper systems are
burdensome on staff and the disclosure documents may be subject to loss,
misplacement or a misrouting error.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a substantially automated
invention disclosure submissions process. Various aspects of such a
process may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,247,661, 5,276,869, 5,317,683,
and 5,377,355. These patents all describe various aspects of a data
processing system. One drawback to this system described in these patents
is that it is an electronic mail (E-mail) based system. Documents are
transmitted back and forth between various locations. The system requires
client software on individual user machines. This is particularly
cumbersome in a large corporate environment having multiple locations in
multiple countries. The drawback being that as migration to new updated
software packages is performed, the users in all locations may not have
the proper software to access the system. Therefore, certain disclosures
may not ever be made due to the inconvenience. The prior patents also
describe that the documents are transmitted to each user's machine for
processing. Such a system, however, requires high bandwidth to support
the exchange of documents from the central location to the user. Such a
system, particularly in large corporations, is impractical since large
bandwidth allocations for such a system are not desirable ways to use
system resources.

[0004] It would therefore be desirable to provide an on-line invention
disclosure system that does not require high bandwidth for each user to
have special software.

[0005] Corporate patent departments also typically maintain a docketing
system. The docketing system keeps track of the disclosures as they are
processed by the patent department. The docketing system maintains the
status of disclosures for the patent attorneys and patent coordinators
and of any patent applications originating therefrom. Various due dates
of the docket system are also tracked. Typically, inventors must call the
patent department to determine the status of their invention disclosure
because the docket system is inaccessible to them. This process is also
time consuming for staff. It would therefore be desirable to provide a
system capable of automatically notifying and/or allowing inventors to
access some or all of the information in a corporate docketing system so
that the status may be readily determined by the inventors.

[0006] Typically, invention disclosures are searched prior to preparing a
patent application therefrom. Commonly, the disclosures are read and a
computer or manual search is performed sometime after the disclosure is
submitted. Also, the inventors typically have little input to the
process. It would also be desirable to perform a search during the
invention disclosure submission process. Consequently, it would also be
desirable to allow, the inventor to participate or help direct the
search.

[0007] In paper type systems and in the systems above, one inventor is
responsible for preparing the invention disclosure document. It is
presumed that concurrence has been achieved between the author of the
invention disclosure and the other inventors. Oftentimes this is not
achieved and the invention disclosure is processed according to company
policies without concurrence. It would therefore be desirable to provide
an automated invention disclosure system that does not allow the
disclosure to be processed until concurrence has been reached by each of
the inventors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an automated
invention disclosure system that overcomes the drawbacks of prior known
systems. The present invention provides a web based on-line invention
disclosure system that may, for example, be used in cooperation with a
corporate intranet.

[0009] In one aspect of the invention an on-line invention disclosure
system includes a user computer and a web server having an identification
subsystem. A database is coupled to the server. The server provides user
screens to the user to prompt users to provide user information to the
server. The server receives disclosure information from the users and
stores information in the database and prompts the users to provide a
password. Upon the proper password, access to the disclosure is granted.
Before granting a docket number, approval is received from each of the
inventors.

[0010] In a further aspect of the invention, a method of forming an
on-line invention disclosure comprises the steps of

[0011] forming an invention disclosure online by entering a plurality of
selected information including a first inventor identification
information;

[0012] as the plurality of selected information is entered, storing the
information in a central storage location; and

[0013] prompting approval of said first inventor.

[0014] One advantage of the invention is that the system is platform
independent. That is, PC, Mac or UNIX based terminals may all access the
web based on-line disclosure system. Another advantage of the present
invention is that the document resides in one location and may be
"viewed" by the inventors, the corporate patent staff, and evaluation
committee members. The document itself does not actually get transferred
as in the E-mail based systems.

[0015] Another advantage of the invention is that inventors may access
predetermined information from an on-line docketing system. Also, the
docketing system may obtain invention information from the on-line docket
system.

[0016] Another advantage of the invention is that evaluation committee
members may automatically receive notices that invention disclosures are
ready to be evaluated.

[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will become
apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings
and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of a disclosure system
according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a functional flow chart of a disclosure system according
to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of a disclosure system
according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a search process according to the present
invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a docket system according to the present
invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] In the following figures the same reference numerals will be used
to identify the same components in the various views. Various examples
and parameters are set forth in the following description. These are
meant to be by way of example and not meant to limit the scope of the
invention. The following example describes an on-line invention
disclosure system. However, other types of collaborative authoring
systems may utilize the same principles and concepts such as authoring
technical and other papers.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, an on-line invention disclosure system 10
is illustrated. On-line disclosure system 10 is web based system having a
web server 12 that is coupled to a plurality of users, one of which is
shown as user computer 14. The web server 12 as will be further described
below may be coupled to a directory server 16 containing user information
and to a database system 18. Database 18 may contain both docketing
information and disclosure information. Although illustrated as one,
database 18 may be comprised of two or more databases that are linked
together. Various tables are established in database 18 and some of the
information located in the docket tables may be linked with the
disclosure tables as will be further described below.

[0026] LDAP 24 is a protocol for accessing directory server 16. The LDAP
24 permits the retrieval of various user information from the directory
server such as the employee's location, phone numbers, etc. in response
to the entry of identification information. ASP 26 provides the scripts
for the various pages that are viewed by the user. The scripts also
control how the information is retrieved from the database 18 and how
information is stored therein. Various scripts may be used for various
situations in various companies. Preferably, the scripts prompt the user
for a complete disclosure that may include a brief summary of the problem
solved and a description of the present solution and how it solves the
problem. Of course, numerous other categories of information may be
prompted.

[0027] SMTP 18 provides the formatting for the company specific E-mail
system. Various types of E-mail formatting would be evident to those
skilled in the art. WLS 30 provides an identification subsystem whereby
identification information such as the user s corporate ID and password
are authenticated. A password may be established for each disclosure
during the initial entry into the system. Thereafter, the password may be
used to view the disclosure and view the status thereof. SAFile-up 32 is
a software package provided by software artisans that allows the user's
PC to couple various documents to the invention disclosure. LDAP 24 is
coupled to directory server 16.

[0028] ASP 26-is coupled to COM 34. COM 34 are the objects run on server
12. COM 34 is coupled to ADO 36 which is coupled to Active X 38. ADO 36
and Active X are known types of object formatting that allow the
information to be displayed in a convenient format. ADO 36 is coupled to
ODBC 40, a known type of database driver. ODBC 40 is coupled to docket
system 10.

[0029] IIS 22 may also be coupled to a report server 42. Report server 42
may be coupled to docket system 18. Report server 42 provides printable
reports to the various system users.

[0030] IIS 22 may also be coupled to user computer 14 that has a browser
44, a docket system program 46 that is coupled through an ODBC 47 to
docket system 18. Browser 44 may be one of the many types of web browsers
currently available that is capable of communicating through the common
http protocol. The patent staff and patent coordinators may be the only
users with direct access to the docket database through docket system
program 46 and ODBC 47. Typical users may obtain selected docket
information from the docket system through server 12 as will be described
below. Browser 44 may also be coupled to file viewers such as a CAD file
viewer 48. Some computer aided design (CAD) systems may require an
interface to operate with a web browser. CAD file viewer 48 may be one of
such systems typically employed on these types of machines. Generally, as
will be further described below, the web server 12 retains the various
documents while user computers 14 may view selected portions of the
document without having to transmit the document back and forth between
various users.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the process of the
present invention is illustrated. As is described below, a user may be an
inventor or just an author that enters the information in to the
disclosure system 10. User and inventor are used interchangeably because
in most circumstances the user is an inventor but need not be. The author
system allows company personnel to enter inventions by non-company
personnel in the system. In block 50, the disclosure is prepared on-line.
Passwords or other security measures may be employed through the
identification subsystem before access to the system may be gained.
Preferably, a corporate directory service or other directory information
may be used to assist the user in filling out the disclosure. For
example, a get employee information block 52 may be coupled to the
prepare disclosure on line block 50 to provide the user information at
the user's request in response to some identification information such as
an E-mail ID, an employee number or the like. This employee user
information thus becomes associated with the particular disclosure being
prepared. Block 50 may also allow the user to identify other co-inventors
and request approval from co-inventors in block 54. The co-inventors of
block 54 are preferably notified via an E-mail that the author has
prepared an invention disclosure listing them as a co-inventor and that
they should either assist in drafting the disclosure or approve the final
draft. For convenience, the e-mail notification may include a hyperlink
so that the disclosure and a connection with the server may be obtained.
In block 50, the inventor may be asked to fill in predetermined
disclosure information such as a brief description or comments, comment
on prior art, give a brief description on the new technology provided by
the invention, various invention dates, provide classification
information such as company classification codes, and miscellaneous other
invention information such as whether a government contract was used or
if the invention was disclosed to non-company personnel. The prepare
disclosure on-line block 50 may also inquire whether other documents
exist so that they may be attached to the disclosure as file attachments.
The file attachments may be word processing documents, CAD files,
presentation documents or various other types of documents.

[0032] When approval has been obtained from each co-inventor, the accept
disclosure submission block 56 locks the document so no further changes
can be made and obtains a docket ID number from a docketing system 58.
The disclosure system makes the request and the docket system provides
the next available docket number. The docket system in block 60 may also
be linked to provide various other information from the on-line invention
disclosure system 10.

[0033] In addition to accepting disclosures through an on-line system 56,
provisions may also be made for accepting mail-in disclosures as was
traditionally done. In this manner, the disclosures may be scanned into
the system by the patent staff but are received from mail block 62.

[0034] Once the disclosure information has been finalized and accepted,
block 64 may be performed wherein the disclosures may be ranked. An
evaluator may receive an E-mail notice that a disclosure is available in
his technology area. The disclosures may be ranked by a patent committee
that looks at the priority ranking criteria and evaluates the disclosure
accordingly. These details may vary depending on the company. The
evaluation may be provided to the docket database in block 60.

[0035] Once ranked, the inventors may view the ranking in block 66. By
logging on to the system through a web browser or other method, the
inventors may monitor the invention disclosure through the process.
Various inventors, co-inventors and patent committees in block 68 may be
provided various information on the status of the disclosure. This may be
done automatically as standardized letters generated by the server 12 or
through an E-mail with a hyperlink to the disclosure or the status
information. The ranking of the disclosure may also be provided to
inventors, co-inventors, and the attorneys responsible in block 70.

[0036] After ranking, the responsible attorney may evaluate the invention
disclosure in block 72 for patentability. Block 72 is coupled to block 66
so that the disclosure evaluation status may also be provided to
inventors, co-inventors and patent committees in block 68. The evaluation
of the disclosure may also be provided to the docket database 60. The
evaluation of the disclosure in block 72 and the disclosure submission 56
may be provided to a supervisor, inventor or co-inventor by way of E-mail
in block 74. The E-mails preferably contain hyperlinks so that the
invention may be easily viewed by clicking on the hyperlink. Further
details of the system are described further below.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, the invention disclosure is prepared
on-line in step 100. An author or inventor may prepare the invention
disclosure. Preferably, the author or inventor or both obtain access
through a corporate Intranet or the Internet. In step 102, the user
enters identification information (ID) for the system. This may also
consist of a password or other security if this is a subsequent access to
the system. The following, however, is based upon an initial submission
of an invention disclosure. In step 104, the information may be received
from a central database or directory server maintained by the company.
Various invention data is filled into the disclosure in step 106. As
described above, the invention data is preferably as detailed information
as the inventor may provide. The invention data may be prompted from the
on-line disclosure system through a series of direct questions and
answers, or the user may be directed to various segments where broad
questions are answered and the inventor may expound, or a combination of
both. In step 107, if any documents such as prints, flow charts, CAD
files or other information would be helpful to the preparation of a
patent application from the disclosure, the documents may be attached so
that they are stored in the system with the disclosure.

[0038] Optional steps 108 and 109 may also be performed. Step 108
classifies invention disclosure based on the information filled therein.
Step 108 is further described below. In step 109, a search may be
prompted using the various information from the system. The search may
also interact with the inventor to determine whether the search is
finding appropriate information. The search step 109 also is further
described below.

[0039] In step 110, the invention disclosure is submitted as a draft by
the author. This draft submission is an approval by the author/inventor.
In step 122, the other inventors are notified to approve the invention
disclosure. As mentioned above, the notification may be an E-mail with a
hyperlink to the disclosure on the on-line system in a web based manner.
In step 124, if all inventors do not approve the disclosure then step 122
is executed again. If other inventors change the invention disclosure
then approval for the changed draft should be obtained from all other
inventors including the authoring inventor. When all the inventors
approve the document, the document is locked to prevent further changes.
Preferably, an approval log becomes associated with the invention
disclosure once all the inventors approve the invention disclosure in
step 126. The approval log will demonstrate that each inventor reviewed
and approved the same final version of the disclosure. Approval in step
124 may also entail a variety of other functions including agreeing to an
associated document such as an assignment of the invention, a power of
attorney or other bookkeeping functions.

[0040] After approval, the disclosure becomes permanently and unchangeably
(locked) part of the system by receiving a docket number assigned in step
128 so that tracking may be provided. The docket number is obtained from
the docket system. In step 130, all inventors are notified of the docket
number. The inventors may view the status in step 132 of the invention.
Preferably, notification takes place by way of E-mail and may have a
predetermined letter with a hyperlink therein. The hyperlink may be used
to provide quick access to the system through the corporate Intranet or
the Internet.

[0041] In step 133, an invention ranking committee or committees are
notified to rank the invention disclosure. If a number of committees are
used, the proper committee may be assigned by the corporate
classification code entered by the inventor/author. The committee ranks
the disclosure in step 134. The system may also set an evaluation meeting
of various committee members to rank the disclosure. To view the
disclosure the committee members may click on a hyperlink from an E-mail
or otherwise access the invention disclosure system. A ranking sheet or
screen with various ranking criteria may become associated with the
disclosure. The committee ranking may be provided to the inventors
through notification such as an E-mail or the disclosure may be accessed
by the inventors from a previous notification.

[0042] In step 136, the invention disclosure may be automatically assigned
to a member of the patent staff for evaluation based upon the corporate
classification code. At all times the patent staff, the inventors and
committee members preferably may access the system to obtain information
as to the status of the system.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, step 109 is illustrated in further detail.
In step 109, an optional search function may be included with the on-line
invention disclosure system. The search is provided to give evaluators
the state of the art to assist in their evaluation. A search inquiry is
formulated in step 200. The search inquiry may be manually entered or
search terms may be derived from the disclosure itself. Boolean searching
may be performed. Preferably, natural language searching may be performed
from using selected sections of the invention disclosure that may include
a detailed description section or the problem/solution section. Also, the
user may be prompted to enter search terms to be used in addition to the
disclosure information. Various types of natural searching language
engines may be used. Typically, these natural language search engines
rank the various terms of the search inquiries such as the portions of
the invention disclosure and perform a search through various on-line
search engines from various search vendors through a natural language
search as shown in step 202. On-line search engines 204 provide the
results of the search to the user. This preferably is a required step
although the on-line disclosure system may make this step optional. The
on-line search engine may include, for example, interfacing with the
patent office website, or various other commercial searching websites
known to those skilled in the art. Many corporations subscribe to a
commercial search service vendor. In step 204, the results of the search
are provided to the inventor. The results may, for example, provide the
top ten results from the search. In step 208, the inventor may be
prompted to provide a narrower search. In step 208 the search may be
refined using the various terms received from the documents of the first
search or previous searches and the search terms from the disclosure
document. For example, various documents can be selected as being on
point and the wording from these documents may be weighted in addition to
the prior search in step 210. Other documents that are not relevant may
receive a negative weighting so that similar documents do not appear on
the list of most relevant documents. The invention disclosure information
may then be repeatedly searched again in step 212 in view of the revised
terms. Referring back to step 208, after the search has been sufficiently
refined, the results are stored together with the disclosure in step 214.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, the invention disclosure system may also
be coupled to an on-line docket system. Various information may be shared
between the docket system and the on-line invention disclosure system.
For example, common information such as a date stamp may be provided as
well as other information not limited to the title, the classification
code, inventor name, an inventor acknowledgement and an assignment. This
information may be provided to the docketing system in step 300. Upon
approval, for example, the docketing system may provide a docket number
to the disclosure system as mentioned above. In step 302, hyperlinks may
be established to the disclosure for use by the various committees, the
patent staff evaluator, and the inventors. This hyperlink may also
require the establishment of a password to enter the system and access
the particular disclosure. Preferably, each inventor only has access to
their own disclosures. Patent committee members preferably have access to
all disclosures that have been submitted by the various inventors whose
area of technology (corporate classification code) is within that of the
particular committee. Hyperlinks may be established to the docket system
in step 304. Various notifications may be provided to the inventors and
the patent committee members through E-mails or otherwise with various
hyperlinks to the sites in step 306.

[0045] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, numerous variations alternate embodiments will occur to those
skilled in the art. The example describes an on-line invention disclosure
system. Other types of collaborative authoring systems may utilize the
same principles and concepts such as authoring technical and other
papers. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in
terms of the appended claims.